Love Assault - Chapter 7

Winter in B City was bitterly cold, especially at night. The pitch-black sky was so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, leaving only the faint sound of breathing through their earphones. The vast emptiness was their greatest enemy. Besides the tree they’d seen during the day, two more moderately sized trees stood about five meters away. In this weather, their bare branches and trunks, barely half a person wide, offered only enough cover for someone to press sideways against them to barely conceal their presence.

Another snowfall had blanketed the area during the first half of the night. The desolate suburban warehouse was surrounded by the rustling sounds of snow being blown off the trees by the wind. Chen Mo wrapped her coat tightly around herself, her face numb with cold and her feet completely without sensation. The snow was a blessing, at least, helping to cover the footprints they’d left during the day. Though she and Zhang Lining had already tried to erase their tracks in the snow, this fresh layer felt like divine intervention.

It was past 2 a.m., neither early nor late. The surroundings were pitch-black. Zhang Lining stood behind another tree, arms crossed, his eyes darting around. Li Zhiyong and Han Zhiwei had already positioned their teams in ambush nearby. Everything was in place. Chen Mo knew they were waiting for the rabbit to come to them, but this rabbit was even more cunning than a fox.

Sister Mo, Zhang Lining’s low voice crackled through her earpiece. Chen Mo nodded slightly, glancing at Zhang Lining leaning against the tree, his head tilted toward the warehouse window. He gestured toward movement in that direction. Chen Mo had already noticed it her eyes had long adapted to the dim light after hours in the darkness. A dark figure in the distance had caught her attention even before Zhang Lining spoke. She nodded, signaling him to stay silent and keep watch. Her hand had already moved to her gun. Her eyes remained fixed on the approaching figure—Pockmark, gaunt and dressed in a single layer of clothing, had reached the tree beneath the window and was preparing to climb.

Zhang Lining placed his hand on the Bluetooth earpiece, glanced at Chen Mo, and made a grabbing motion in the air, asking if they should close in.

Chen Mo stared intently at the black plastic bag in Pockmark’s hand, frowning slightly. She raised her hand and pressed it down toward Zhang Lining, shaking her head subtly.

Zhang Lining’s expression was difficult to discern in the darkness, but his wide eyes darted between Pockmark, who was halfway up the wall, and Chen Mo, clearly puzzled. Yet Chen Mo insisted, pressing her hand down again and pointing to the plastic bag swinging from Pockmark’s hip as he climbed through the open window. The bag appeared heavy. Zhang Lining nodded, acknowledging the object, and pointed his gun at Pockmark, whispering, Sister Mo, I’m confident I can hit his head.

I suspect that plastic bag contains dangerous materials. You’re not a sniper. Let him go inside. Our team will surround the warehouse soon.

Just as Chen Mo finished speaking, a loud clatter echoed from above as the warehouse window slammed shut. She exhaled sharply and quickly moved to the warehouse wall, pressing her ear against it to listen for any sounds inside. But the thick wall muffled all noise. Gripping her gun, she murmured, The rat’s burrowed in, and he’s armed. Proceed with caution. Close the net.

As soon as the words left her lips, a team of fully armed police officers swiftly surrounded the warehouse from all directions. Zhang Lining was the first to dart forward. Chen Mo smiled faintly and shook her head. Zhang Lining was the most seasoned and resourceful member of the team, embodying the seemingly contradictory qualities of composure and agility in perfect harmony. This was precisely why she had kept Zhang Lining by her side while sending Li Zhiyong to call for backup.

But the moment the door swung open, a metallic scraping sound grew louder from the distance. Zhang Lining took a step forward, only to be yanked back by Chen Mo, who shouted, Bomb! Retreat! Zhang Lining quickly retreated. Chen Mo pivoted, grabbed Li Zhiyong, and leaped out of the warehouse. The officers who had been advancing inside immediately scrambled back.

The bomb rolled out of the doorway and exploded with a deafening boom. The doorframe twisted into a mangled wreck, and acrid smoke billowed into the air. Li Zhiyong clutched his chest. Sister Mo, thank God for you. Otherwise, I… He trailed off, noticing Chen Mo’s grim expression. Chen Mo gripped her gun, her face utterly unmoved by the explosion. With unwavering calm, she ordered everyone to stay put. They were already at the entrance. Han Zhiwei, standing beside her, warned, Sister Mo, he probably has more.

Chen Mo nodded. I know. She pushed Han Zhiwei aside, signaling him not to follow, and pointed to the side of the warehouse. You and Li Ning go over there. Be careful. With that, she slowly walked to the door, which reeked of burnt fumes, and leaned against the wall. Pockmark, you’re surrounded. Give up resisting, and you might live.

A strange laugh echoed from inside the warehouse. Live? Once you’re in, there’s no living. Might as well take you all down with me.

Chen Mo chuckled softly. Pockmark, how many bombs do you have? Three? Four? Five? You’ll run out eventually. Do you really think those bombs are enough to take us all down with you? No one seeks their own death, right?

Heh… A sigh drifted from the darkness. Your guess is spot-on. Dying sooner or later makes no difference. I’d be happy to take a few of you down with me.

Chen Mo strained her ears, noticing the voice seemed to be coming from a higher position than before. Her brow furrowed, and she whispered into her earpiece, Li Ning, Zhiwei, watch the upper windows. He might be trying to escape through them.

Don’t worry, Sister Mo, Zhang Lining’s voice crackled through the earpiece. There are over a dozen of us here. He—

Before he could finish, another deafening explosion shook the warehouse. Chen Mo flinched, realizing Pockmark had indeed been throwing grenades out the window. The man was truly desperate, using the warehouse as his last stand. Yet she hesitated to act rashly. The warehouse was pitch-black, and if Pockmark had grenades, he likely had guns too. Charging in blindly would be suicidal. But simply guarding the entrance was getting them nowhere. Li Ning, Zhiwei, what’s the situation?

A moment later, Zhang Lining’s urgent voice came through Damn it, that bastard’s got nothing to lose! He didn’t even show his face before tossing us a ‘potato.’ Two of our guys took minor injuries, but the rest are okay. This place offers no cover—he’s got the high ground, and we’re sitting ducks.

Chen Mo’s face hardened. Stick to the walls, she said quietly. The corners are blind spots. He won’t risk collapsing the warehouse by throwing grenades there—he’d be the first to die. Then, turning to shout into the warehouse, she yelled, Pockmark, this is pointless! You’re just wasting everyone’s time. You know that illegally trading or buying weapons and harming people means I can shoot you on sight. Surrender now. This is just robbery and murder. If you persist, I’ll order dozens of machine guns to open fire—your death won’t be pretty. It’s the New Year, and no one wants their death anniversary in the first month of the lunar calendar.

The words had barely left his lips when another bang echoed, likely from the same location as before. The crowd raised their guns, ready for action, but no one dared approach. The air in the silent warehouse hung thick with tension, as if even the atmosphere itself held its breath. Unlike before, half of the warehouse door had now been blown away, forcing Chen Mo to press against the wall beside the entrance and shout at him.

The previous explosion had clearly drawn everyone’s attention. Before they could fully recover, another bomb was hurled from the warehouse door with a whoosh. This one was thrown much farther, clearly aimed at the surrounding police. The crowd scattered, Chen Mo ducking and rolling aside as dirt, snow, and gunpowder erupted in a chaotic spray.

Before anyone could regain their footing, heavy footsteps thundered from the warehouse entrance, followed by a flash of fire and a barrage of gunfire. The enemy was hidden in darkness, while they were exposed in the open. No one had anticipated that Pockmark would have firearms in addition to bombs. With no cover in the open space, several officers were instantly shot and fell to the ground.

In the chaos, someone in the team panicked and opened fire first, concentrating their firepower on the warehouse. But inside remained eerily silent the bullets vanished as if swallowed by the sea. The group waited around for about five minutes, but still no movement came from within. Li Zhiyong cautiously peeked inside. Sister Mo, do you think the kid’s dead?

Chen Mo shook her head gravely. She had a feeling things weren’t that simple. Pockmark was fighting alone, and he must have known his situation made escape impossible. No one willingly dies for nothing, let alone seeks death. Unless he was confident he wouldn’t die at all.

Who could have given him such confidence? Her eyes darted around, scanning the surrounding people, and an ominous premonition rose in her heart. She chuckled softly and called out in a steady voice, Pockmark, someone’s waiting outside to help you escape. Isn’t that right? You’re just stalling for time.

Silence still hung in the air. Chen Mo smiled. Very well. If you want to play the waiting game, let’s see who can hold out longer. She glanced at Li Zhiyong, pointed at him, then gestured toward the side of the warehouse. Li Zhiyong immediately understood, slowly moved closer to Chen Mo, and whispered, Sister Mo.

Climb that tree. He shouldn’t be at the window anymore. You only have one chance.

Li Zhiyong nodded instantly. Chen Mo pursed her lips. Judging by Pockmark’s posture, whoever was coming to reinforce him would likely arrive soon. Though she had said they would wait him out, they couldn’t afford to actually do so. The fact that he had managed to find weapons and gunpowder was completely unexpected. Their only option now was to subdue him quickly—or, if necessary, kill him. Requesting sniper support was unlikely at this point. Li Zhiyong, the team’s sharpshooter, was their only hope.

Chen Mo sighed. She had let her guard down, assuming he was alone, and had grown careless.

Lin Che was jolted awake by the urgent ringing of his phone. Half-asleep, he groped blindly under his pillow, finally managing to yank the device out without even turning on the light. The moment he answered, Yun Xi’s booming voice blasted through the receiver

Lin Che! We’ve got a problem!

Lin Che mumbled groggily, his heavy eyelids already drooping shut again. Whatever it is, don’t bother me. Handle it yourself.

I can’t handle this. One of our container trucks has been stolen! Yun Xi panted heavily on the other end of the line, the sounds of frantic activity and voices swirling around him.

Lin Che grunted. What’s the big deal? Call the police.

Yun Xi scoffed. Call the police? The police are already here… looking for me.